A fully funded PhD opportunity is available in the research group of Heather Coleman at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Coleraine campus. The project focuses on developing low-cost sustainable materials to mitigate the impact of algal blooms by investigating the adsorption efficiency of affordable adsorbents for removing cyanotoxins and taste & odour compounds from water. This research aims to contribute to more sustainable and affordable water treatment solutions with significant environmental and societal impact.

The successful candidate will develop analytical methods for selected toxins and taste & odour compounds, characterise the properties of low-cost adsorbents, evaluate their performance under both controlled and natural bloom conditions, and benchmark results against activated carbon. The project is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Environmental Science, Geography, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering, especially those interested in environmental issues.

Experience in water quality analysis, adsorption or materials characterisation, analytical chemistry techniques (such as LC-MS, GC-MS, spectroscopy), and environmental or water treatment processes is beneficial. The position is fully funded by DfE for UK and Republic of Ireland applicants, covering tuition fees and a maintenance allowance of £21,000 per annum.

The research group offers a collaborative and supportive environment, and the project is supervised by Heather Coleman, with additional academic staff including Jessica Moore, Arnscheidt Joerg, and Temilola (Temi) Oluseyi. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Heather Coleman directly to discuss their background and suitability for the project. For full details, visit the provided link.